The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-02

titled Engilshmen who came to America hob
nobbed with him for old acquaintance sake
Lord Ronald Cover, only last winter, shared
his rather poor lodgings for several weeks. He
was loquacious, garrulous, and he understood to
a nicety just what gentle Anglomaniacs wished
to learn. Therefore, while drinking wine and
eating the vands of the Murray Hill million
aire, he talked instructively to the daughter at
his elbow about the social ways Of aristocracy
abroad, their women's manners, and their
minutest habits of department.. New York
bellies could be named to the number of score
whose tricks of demeanor and small manner
isms have been formulated by William Stuart
There was nothing open or avowed in the tute-
lage. OF course, for he was the best preserved
that ever saw, but none the less was he an III
structor in the sort of politeness esteemed by
the Anglomaniac section of our society.
Old John Gilbert, the wal'ack actor, is just
now illustrating ancient courtliness as Sir Peter
Teazle in '.The School for Scandal" No doubt
it is perfect exposition. In lesser degree,
are the manners of Annie Robe as Lady reazle
But on the opening night there was the funniest
kind of . transition from the mimic quarrel of
the play to q genuine quarrel, and all before the
highly Fashionable audience. The scene of the
alteration between Sir Peter and his frivolous
young wife went briskly along lor while each
wordy contestant sticking close to the traditions
of old comedy in enunciation, gestieulation, and
facial expression Then Annie forgot a line,
and whispered behind her fan to John to prompt
her. He wouldn't excuse such fault in his i'm
portant dialogue, and stood grimly unresponsive.
She turned her back to the audience and be-
sought him to help her or. He anerily refused.
Then all assumption of last century high man.
ners was suddenly dropped, and contemporane-
Gus animosity intervened. The actress pouted,
scowled, and stood silent The actor went on
with his own share of the speaking and the cur
faiu oil on vi, nf cforvo icc;
tude.
About as curious dialogue to watch was one
at Tuxedo between the Rev. DR.. Morgan Dix,
rector of modish Trinity parish, and the wife of
the young eighty millionaire. Willie Vanderbilt.
1t was at a ball in the CLUB House. Mrs Van
derbilt wore one of the long corsages that the
minister had on the previous Sunday preached
so furiously against. The handsome lady's arms
and shoulders cleaned smooth and bare in the
gaslight, and she chatted in easy grace as she
smiled up into the ascetic face of the divine and
his urbanity was not visibly disturbed; but
wondered il what they were thinking CORE
spOnded with what they were saying. AS mat
ter of fact, the season started with marked re-
form of corsages at the opera, the line of cover
being raised an average of two or three inches
over that OF last year; but night after night it
slowly fell and with the first of the winter balls
it took distinct drop, until now it has reached
the former depression.
Are men in New York as polite as they are in
other plaees2 was question discussed with much
enthusiasm by company of women containing
representatives from several cities 1t seemed
to be the general opinion that men here are more
inclined to give up seats in street cars than are
the men In other Eastern cities One woman
from BosHbn- d professor in a woman's college
near the Hub, declared itwas relief to see
man act with some common sense when he does
give his seat to woman. Why she said, Sin
Boston when man concludes that he will give
his seat to woman he doesn't call her attention tc
it and say. touching his hat. have this seat. mad
| am, as New York man does. He simply gets up
| turns his back to her, and hangs to a strap and
goes out on the platform. Of course, woman
can't be enthusiastically grateful for the display
of any such vinegary gallantry as that. NJ ore
| tn an half the time when man in the Bosto
| street cars gives you his seat you can't tel
| whether he gets up because he wants to, or ou
of consideration for you. II is no wonder that
Boston women have almost quit saying 'Thank
| YOU and it is very funny that Boston men ge
semi occasionally indignant through the news
[ papers because they don't say it. But it is
lspleasure to have a courtesy rendered in a courte
Gus way, as the New York men do. They no
| only give up their seats more courteously, bu
| they do it much oftener than they do it in Bos
ton"
There is no doubt" said an elderly woman
we'll known AS a leader in of the reform
movements, that there has been a great falling
off in the form as we'll as the spirit o
courtesy toward women during the last fiftcer
or twenty years have been told several time
| that it was all on account OF the persistent agi
tation that has been made by women for th
rights of women. Men think, so these arguer
say, that if woman wants to be an equality
| with man she will have to give up the consldera
ton to which she has been accustomed. 1t ma,
be true, but it is the agitation that has evsl
women things of a great deal more Importance.
| II don't think So" said the Professor. "Fo
my part I'd rather have the considera
tion, and courtesy, and gallantry with whcl
women were once treated than have, withou
that gliding, all the rights they talk about
LAS for me-" put in the bright-looking daugh
ter of the reformer. I'D rather stand up in tn
street cars all my life, and get adequate pay fo
my work, than receive all the gallantry in tn
world along with half wages. l don't car
whether or not man ever takes off his hat t
me if he will only recognize my right to equa
pay for equal work. If we can't have both let
take the one that is the more important
''Well." said lady from Chicago II don
think that has much to do with it. In my opin
ion it is all due to the decay of finer feelin
among men. There's peculiar thing i
which you'll find great difference between Ne,
York and the Western cities. In Chicago, an
it's the same wherever I've been in the West.
woman 60 through the busiest wholesal
streets. where the loading and unloading 9
trucks going across the sidewalks all tn
time. with much more ease than here. Nv
often heard workmen the shabbiest clothe
| and the broadest brogue reprove one another fc
not having noticed the approach Of woman
Look out there! Whatre We doinl Let tn
lady pass. is remark I've heard many times
the streets. In New York under similar c
cumstances you have to watch. and dodge. an
jump. and then workmen really seem to tax
. pleasure in making you think they are going
drop their boxes and barrels on your toos"
After what I've to-day" said anotht
woman, q New Yorker, who employs herse
much in charitable work. Il am convinced tn,
New York is the most polite city on the con,
9 nent. 1t was in the Offices of the Board of Cha
: tiles and Correction. and I'm sure it would be in
possible for gallantry to go step further.
is the last possibility OF politen"ss One of Il
s officials has to attend to the wants Of lot of